Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Congratulations! You’re expecting a baby! You will no doubt have millions of things racing through your mind as you prepare for this huge next step in your life. For those who have began to look the web for advice and tips you will have realized that there are many lists available advising what you should purchase and organize for the impending arrival of your brand new bundle of joy. But exactly how should you go about preparing your living space and yourself so that you are as prepared as possible for this big event?

Here are a few essential things to consider when you’re planning and preparing to bring your new addition home.

Nursery - Measure the room to make sure your purchases and gifts will fit. If you’re painting, search for environmentally friendly paint. Non-VOC (volatile organic compound) fresh paint will reduce fumes that create head aches, nausea and respiratory system problems. Make sure that the tint is also VOC-free, as a lot of them are not.

Electricity - If you have some lights or home appliances which are not working but have delayed checking the electrical system in your house, don’t leave it any longer. If you are confident you know what you are doing, switch off the power supply and test the electrical wiring. It may also be a good idea to call in an expert and have them check things out. Buy special plugs for electrical sockets and don’t make them appealing by putting decorative covers on them.

Stairs ^ Stairs are a cause of many injuries, for any age or size. In addition to installing baby gates, ensure all carpeting on the stairs is safe and that a handrail is attached securely and safely to the wall or floor on all stairs.

Prepare Some Meals - Your freezer will be your best friend when the baby comes. Make sure it’s well stocked with tasty, home-cooked food while you get the chance. Prepare some casseroles or other healthy, filling foods that are easy to defrost, warm up and eat. You’ll be thankful for this following a busy day taking care of your newborn!

In reality its not necessary to complete an excessive amount of jobs around the house to really make it safe for a newborn. After all it’s likely to be a long time before they’re moving around! Concentrate on getting the essentials in position - clothes for the baby, diapers, feeding equipment, blankets along with a cot or moses basket. This way whenever you do come home with the baby, you are able to concentrate on recuperating, relaxing and bonding with your new arrival.

Having learned the ways to prepare your home and yourself for when you bring home your new arrival, now is the time to concentrate on the rest of the things that’ll be taking up your time (and wallet) for the next 18 years. If you are thinking about using the equity in your house to alleviate the financial impact of having a baby, think about a home re-finance.

If you are looking free up some cash from your home to assist with the in your newly found baby expenses you might want to speak with a mortgage Expert and use a mortgage calculator to determine what you can save.

Your life is going to change completely soon, and all the preparation and planning in the world will never be enough to prepare you for the biggest and best experience of your life. However, planning helps relieve tension and anxiety. Taking time out to organize the little details before the baby makes an appearance can help to take the weight off of your shoulders for when the time comes.

Congratulations! You’re expecting a baby! You will no doubt have millions of things racing through your mind as you prepare for this huge next step in your life. For those who have began to look the web for advice and tips you will have realized that there are many lists available advising what you should purchase and organize for the impending arrival of your brand new bundle of joy. But exactly how should you go about preparing your living space and yourself so that you are as prepared as possible for this big event?

Here are a few essential things to consider when you’re planning and preparing to bring your new addition home.

Nursery - Measure the room to make sure your purchases and gifts will fit. If you’re painting, search for environmentally friendly paint. Non-VOC (volatile organic compound) fresh paint will reduce fumes that create head aches, nausea and respiratory system problems. Make sure that the tint is also VOC-free, as a lot of them are not.

Electricity - If you have some lights or home appliances which are not working but have delayed checking the electrical system in your house, don’t leave it any longer. If you are confident you know what you are doing, switch off the power supply and test the electrical wiring. It may also be a good idea to call in an expert and have them check things out. Buy special plugs for electrical sockets and don’t make them appealing by putting decorative covers on them.

Stairs – Stairs are a cause of many injuries, for any age or size. In addition to installing baby gates, ensure all carpeting on the stairs is safe and that a handrail is attached securely and safely to the wall or floor on all stairs.

Prepare Some Meals - Your freezer will be your best friend when the baby comes. Make sure it’s well stocked with tasty, home-cooked food while you get the chance. Prepare some casseroles or other healthy, filling foods that are easy to defrost, warm up and eat. You’ll be thankful for this following a busy day taking care of your newborn!

In reality its not necessary to complete an excessive amount of jobs around the house to really make it safe for a newborn. After all it’s likely to be a long time before they’re moving around! Concentrate on getting the essentials in position - clothes for the baby, diapers, feeding equipment, blankets along with a cot or moses basket. This way whenever you do come home with the baby, you are able to concentrate on recuperating, relaxing and bonding with your new arrival.

Having learned the ways to prepare your home and yourself for when you bring home your new arrival, now is the time to concentrate on the rest of the things that’ll be taking up your time (and wallet) for the next 18 years. If you are thinking about using the equity in your house to alleviate the financial impact of having a baby, think about a home re-finance.

If you are looking free up some cash from your home to assist with the in your newly found baby expenses you might want to speak with a mortgage Expert and use a mortgage calculator to determine what you can save.

Your life is going to change completely soon, and all the preparation and planning in the world will never be enough to prepare you for the biggest and best experience of your life. However, planning helps relieve tension and anxiety. Taking time out to organize the little details before the baby makes an appearance can help to take the weight off of your shoulders for when the time comes.

Congratulations! You’re expecting a baby! You will no doubt have millions of things racing through your mind as you prepare for this huge next step in your life. For those who have began to look the web for advice and tips you will have realized that there are many lists available advising what you should purchase and organize for the impending arrival of your brand new bundle of joy. But exactly how should you go about preparing your living space and yourself so that you are as prepared as possible for this big event?

Here are a few essential things to consider when you’re planning and preparing to bring your new addition home.

Nursery - Measure the room to make sure your purchases and gifts will fit. If you’re painting, search for environmentally friendly paint. Non-VOC (volatile organic compound) fresh paint will reduce fumes that create head aches, nausea and respiratory system problems. Make sure that the tint is also VOC-free, as a lot of them are not.

Electricity - If you have some lights or home appliances which are not working but have delayed checking the electrical system in your house, don’t leave it any longer. If you are confident you know what you are doing, switch off the power supply and test the electrical wiring. It may also be a good idea to call in an expert and have them check things out. Buy special plugs for electrical sockets and don’t make them appealing by putting decorative covers on them.

Stairs ^ Stairs are a cause of many injuries, for any age or size. In addition to installing baby gates, ensure all carpeting on the stairs is safe and that a handrail is attached securely and safely to the wall or floor on all stairs.

Prepare Some Meals - Your freezer will be your best friend when the baby comes. Make sure it’s well stocked with tasty, home-cooked food while you get the chance. Prepare some casseroles or other healthy, filling foods that are easy to defrost, warm up and eat. You’ll be thankful for this following a busy day taking care of your newborn!

In reality its not necessary to complete an excessive amount of jobs around the house to really make it safe for a newborn. After all it’s likely to be a long time before they’re moving around! Concentrate on getting the essentials in position - clothes for the baby, diapers, feeding equipment, blankets along with a cot or moses basket. This way whenever you do come home with the baby, you are able to concentrate on recuperating, relaxing and bonding with your new arrival.

Having learned the ways to prepare your home and yourself for when you bring home your new arrival, now is the time to concentrate on the rest of the things that’ll be taking up your time (and wallet) for the next 18 years. If you are thinking about using the equity in your house to alleviate the financial impact of having a baby, think about a home re-finance.

If you are looking free up some cash from your home to assist with the in your newly found baby expenses you might want to speak with a mortgage Expert and use a mortgage calculator to determine what you can save.

Your life is going to change completely soon, and all the preparation and planning in the world will never be enough to prepare you for the biggest and best experience of your life. However, planning helps relieve tension and anxiety. Taking time out to organize the little details before the baby makes an appearance can help to take the weight off of your shoulders for when the time comes.

Living in the Turks & Caicos Islands provides you with the luxury of living inside, as well as out. An added bonus when selling your Turks and Caicos home would be to have something that other properties do not offer.

Why not create an outdoor living space? With over 1100 properties currently available for sale in TCI buyer’s look for the extra’s that make a home stand out from the rest.

The outdoors are the most versatile part of your property and for a relatively small investment can add a certain touch that may attract more calls on your listing, bring an offer sooner or even sell your home.

Outdoor living spaces come in all shapes and sizes. The bells and whistles to accessorize and decorate are endless and the style of this space adds a personal touch and feel to the property.

First, consider the area and size of your outdoor living space and then decide on a budget, you are now on your way to designing your own garden get-a-way.

Flagstone paths are an easy way to cover spotty areas where grass is worn or patchy. Loose gravel and flat stones make great pathways that lead you from your home to a comfortable outdoor seating area. Staged wooden planters or large container pots with planted shrubs and trees fill large open spaces, provide privacy and act as a sound buffer.

Wooden benches, concrete seating, or tables and chairs provide the basics and a starting place when first arranging the area to establishing size and style. Some additions to the basics would be an outdoor fire-pit, BBQ area, outdoor garden shower, hammock or outdoor bar.

Flooring could be a wooden deck, concrete slab, large paving stones, gravel or even grass. Sides and roofing may also be added – trellis framing for the sides or roof, tiki-hut style grass roof, canopy or tents, and umbrellas may be something to consider as they provide shade during the daytime.

Weather resistant fabric or mosquito netting can be draped over the roof areas, down one or more sides, to the ground to enclose the area adding texture and color and to soften the hardscape. Waterproof and weather-resistant fabrics are usually necessary for seating cushions, sofas, chairs, chaise lounges, throw pillows, rugs and draperies.

Hanging baskets of flowers, birdhouses, lanterns on free-standing hooks or hung from tree limbs, and inexpensive solar garden lights add a personal touch to the space.

Hang a mirror from a palm tree to add a bit of glamour, decorate the tables with candles, shells from Grace Bay Beach and other items found on the island or from your home.

Make it as simple or as elegant as you wish.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Turks & Caicos - We love outdoor living spaces in the TCI – your home away from home.

The first rain bands have started to move into Nassau on the island of New Providence as the entire Bahamas is under hurricane warnings.
Hurricane Irene is now a major category 3 storm moving through the Southeast Bahamas.
All around the island of Nassau, there are signs of preparations. Most businesses and many homes are battened down and residents are taking care of last minute details.
Our Exuma real estate agent, Dale Kemp, reported at 9am that it was sunny and beautiful, but there was a brisk breeze. Conditions were expected to deteriorate as the day wore on.
Projections show a slight shift to the east which would take some of the islands out of the direct path of Hurricane Irene. However, several Bahamas islands, including Long Island, Eleuthera and Cat Island, appear to be at high risk.
However, the situation is fluid and can change.
Stay safe, Bahamas.

The St.Kitts Amateur Basketball Association will this weekend be staging their 2010 season prize-giving ceremony, where the winners from last season will be awarded their respective trophies, medals and awards . All prizes and awards will be handed out, from the 2010 Championship Trophy, to the 2010 season leaders in the various categories, including assists, rebounds, blocks, as well as season and playoff MVP trophies.
President Romel Tobias indicated that this season, the association will be breaking with a number of traditions in an effort to improve and enhance the league. The SKABA prize-giving usually takes place at the start of the season . But according to Tobias this year the association will be venturing to stage the prize-giving and awards ceremony for the 2011 immediately at the end of the league as part of a closing ceremony.
“This ceremony will be the first of 2 we plan to have for this year, as we are hoping to break with tradition and have the prize-giving ceremony for the current season at the end of the league this year, rather than at the beginning of the next season. This will enable a much smoother transition from season to season and even executive to executive as at the close of each season the season is truly closed and not partially so as the awards still remain outstanding heading into the following season,” Tobias said. Sunday nights ceremony is expected to be graced by the presence of team sponsors as well as a representative from the Ministry of Sports in Director of Sports Mr Dave Connor and Minister of Sport Glen “Ghost” Phillip.

Source:www.sknvibes.com

As a warm up for the forthcoming 2011-12 school year, the BVI Cricket Association, in partnership with the West Indies Cricket Board and ScotiaBank, will be holding a cricket camp on the grounds of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Paraquita Bay from 15-20 August.
Open to boys and girls of all abilities aged seven years and upwards, the week-long camp will run from 9:00 am. until 12:00 noon each day, and is completely free of charge.
Refreshments and t-shirts will be provided, and transportation will be arranged from Road Town to the College and back as necessary.
Grassroots Cricket is the next step in the development process, encouraging youths to “graduate” to the hard ball version of the game and learn more technical aspects of the sport, while still learning to have fun. The camp will cover all aspects of the game’s basics from batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping. Each day will feature games as well as drills and all participants will be encouraged to enjoy team sport and social interaction. It will be conducted by fully qualified WICB local coaches and, overall, the programme will offer a fun-filled and safe environment.
The camp will not be a “one-off” event, as starting in September, the association will continue to be active by either holding or supporting cricket sessions in various schools throughout Tortola and Virgin Gorda, as well as continuing to hold the Grassroots Cricket Academy at the HLSCC grounds every Saturday afternoon.

Source:bvinews.com

The Renaissance Convention Center the focus of activity last weekend, packed with the latest health products, procedures and facilities for care for all ages.
The Aruba Health Expo featured 50 booths, with free samples of various products, testing for blood pressure, eye pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index and blood sugar. They also had information centers, manned by various foundations and their volunteers, advising various groups with particular health concerns.
The two days dedicated to improved health were punctuated by lectures from several foundations; international guest speakers included Dr. Gordon Tessler speaking on “The Truth about your Health” and Diane Sockwell talking on skin care, courtesy of Playa Trading. Dr. Henk Marsman spoke on “The Quality of Aruba’s Drinking Water,” Dr. Alex Schwengle covered “Oncology on Aruba,” and Dr. Jaime Falconi talked of “Stroke Awareness,” to mention just a few of the pertinent topics covered during the two full days of lectures.
The diversity of products demonstrated, and the wealth of services and information offered was almost heart-stopping. Organizers reported an enthusiastic response from the public, with the hope of this becoming an annual event.

Source:www.aruba.com

Take her seriously!

Hurricane Irene, the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, is steaming towards the Bahamas and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

If Irene continues on her current path, Inagua, the most southern island in the Bahamas, and Mayaguana should feel her force today.

Bahamas home owners are urged to secure their property.

Irene is expected to strengthen into a category 2 hurricane when she passes the Bahamas islands of Crooked Island and Acklins, Accuweather spokesman Dave Samuhel told The Tribune of Nassau Bahamas.

Samuhel predicted Irene may strengthen to a Cat 3 hurricane by the time she hits Nassau in New Providence. We’re taking this one seriously. Residents are scrambling for supplies and already, the stores are running low on bottled water.

The northwest Bahamas, including Abaco, is on a hurricane watch, and residents should be taking the necessary precautions to secure their property and homes.

Our real estate offices in Abaco, Exuma and Long Island have been secured and our Nassau real estate head office is hurricane ready. However, we remain open for business.
Click here for a Hurricane Preparation List.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people in Puerto Rico and the other islands who have suffered Irene’s wrath. We wish our affiliates in Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic, all the best. Our hearts especially go out to the homeless in Haiti.

Take her seriously!

Hurricane Irene, the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, is steaming towards the Bahamas and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

If Irene continues on her current path, Inagua, the most southern island in the Bahamas, and Mayaguana should feel her force today.

Bahamas home owners are urged to secure their property.

Irene is expected to strengthen into a category 2 hurricane when she passes the Bahamas islands of Crooked Island and Acklins, Accuweather spokesman Dave Samuhel told The Tribune of Nassau Bahamas.

Samuhel predicted Irene may strengthen to a Cat 3 hurricane by the time she hits Nassau in New Providence. We’re taking this one seriously. Residents are scrambling for supplies and already, the stores are running low on bottled water.

The northwest Bahamas, including Abaco, is on a hurricane watch, and residents should be taking the necessary precautions to secure their property and homes.

Our real estate offices in Abaco, Exuma and Long Island have been secured and our Nassau real estate head office is hurricane ready. However, we remain open for business.
Click here for a Hurricane Preparation List.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people in Puerto Rico and the other islands who have suffered Irene’s wrath. We wish our affiliates in Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic, all the best. Our hearts especially go out to the homeless in Haiti.